Gianluca Vialli dies: Latest as tributes pour in for Chelsea, Juventus and Italy legend – updates
GIANLUCA VIALLI has sadly died at the age of 58.
The lovable former Juventus, Chelsea and Sampdoria star had been battling cancer for the last few years.
He also managed the Blues and Watford, before becoming Roberto Mancini's assistant as they went on to win Euro 2020 just 18 months ago.
Vialli was one of the best strikers in Europe in the 1990s and won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 before moving to West London.
Stay up to date for all the tributes on the Azzurri titan...
'Best moments of our lives'.
Gianfranco Zola has paid tribute to former team-mate Gianluca Vialli.
Zola played with and under Vialli at Chelsea with the pair winning the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
He said: "Together we won many matches and shared some of the best moments of our lives.
"For the love of our ball we have often clashed. With no quarter, but always with the utmost respect.
"Because, in the end, we were always ourselves: two Italian boys and a ball.
"Goodbye Luca, fellow traveller. Gianfranco."
'Lovely, lovely man.'
Alan Shearer has weighed in with his condolences to ex-Italy and Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli.
He never played alongside the former striker, but came up against him several times in the Premier League.
Shearer said on Twitter: "RIP Gianluca Vialli. What a lovely lovely man and a wonderful player he was.🙏🏻."
Much more than a terrific footballer
Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler said that it was an honour to meet Gianluca Vialli and described his passing as "cruel."
Speaking on Sky Sports he said: "He was a terrific footballer and achieved so much, but he was much more than that, he was a real human being.
"He was a giver as well as a taker of chances on the field, he was great to be around.
"I first met him when he was playing for Italy and he was at Sampdoria and our own Trevor Francis was a team-mate and it was a great honour to meet him.
"It's so cruel and he will be deeply missed."
'Devastated'.
Mikael Forssell is the latest ex-team-mate to share his sadness over the passing of Gianluca Vialli.
He was handed his Chelsea debut by the Italian as a 17-year-old against Arsenal back in January 1999.
Forssell said: "Devastated to hear about the passing of my ex- team mate and manager Gianluca Vialli 😭💔 RIP Legend❤️."
'He was an incredible person.'
Scott Minto was emotional when he spoke on talkSPORT about Gianluca Vialli.
Minto and Vialli spent one season together at Chelsea in 1996-97, winning the FA Cup.
He said: "I've got tears. It’s a very emotional time. It’s not about him the player but him as a person.”
"And he was an incredible person, he really was. He came to Chelsea as a superstar and he was just one of the lads.
"He was classy, such a classy guy."
'Always in my heart my friend.'
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has paid tribute to former teammate Gianluca Vialli.
The pair were at the Old Lady together during the 90s and won a host of trophies, including Serie A in 1995-1996 and the Champions League the following season.
He said: "Having dinner together in London a few months ago as we had fun remembering all our adventures and battles on the field.
"Unfortunately in these last few years you had to fight a great and terrible battle in Life.
"I told you and wrote that you have always been an inspiration to me as my Captain and for how you were proving to be Strong, Proud and Brave, fighting like a lion against this disease.
"Always in my heart my friend. Hello Gianluca❤️."
'Vialli and Mancini ripped Serie A apart'
Brentford boss Thomas Frank revealed his shock at seeing the news of Gianluca Vialli's death - and reflected on his outstanding career.
The former Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea legend passed away at the age of 58.
And ahead of Brentford's FA Cup game against West Ham tomorrow, Thomas Frank said: "I was shocked when I saw the news this morning. I remember him as a player, first of all in that Sampdoria team up front with [Roberto] Mancini, ripping Serie A apart.
"[He was a ] fantastic striker in many senses, most likely one of the best ever in Italy. I never met him, but my sympathy and condolences go to his loved ones."
Bubbly Luca
Gianluca Vialli once treated his Chelsea players to a glass of fancy champagne - before they took on London rivals Arsenal.
The late Italian - who passed away today aged 58 - took charge of the Blues following Ruud Gullit's sacking in 1998.
Vialli was given a baptism of fire with a League Cup semi-final second-leg clash with eventual Premier League winners Arsenal.
While most incoming managers rely on giving a Rocky-esque speech to motivate their new players for their match in charge, Vialli already had the respect and adoration of the troops as he spilled blood, sweat and tears with them on the pitch.
And in his first pre-match team talk, he showed the class he'd become renowned for in years to come by handing each player a glass of champers.
'Truly magnificent footballer'
Gary Lineker has paid tribute to Gianluca Vialli via Twitter.
Lineker's gave statement after Vialli's death
Moment of Silence
Chelsea Women held a moment of silence in training as a tribute to the late Gianluca Vialli.
Chelsea women reflected on the life of Vialli before their training session AC Milan on Vialli
AC Milan are one of several clubs passing on condolences to the loved ones of Italian legend Gianluca Vialli.
The footballing world has been mouring Vialli 'Bye My Friend'
This was Carlo Ancelotti's tribute to his fellow Italian Gianluca Vialli.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had this tribute to his countryman James pays tribute
Reece James has paid tribute to Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli.
The full-back hailed the late Italian as "one of the very best".
Chelsea Football Club is in mourning after the death of a legend Gianluca Vialli - 1964-2023
Tributes have been pouring in all morning for Chelsea and Juventus legend Gianluca Vialli, who has died at the age of 58 'Our captain. My Captain. All the time.'
Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero has paid tribute to former teammate Gianluca Vialli.
The pair were at Juventus together in the 90s and were part of a team who won multiple trophies during a golden period.
He said of Vialli: "Our captain. My Captain. All the time. Bye Luca."
Alessandro Del Piero and Gianluca Vialli are both legends in Italian football
Conte out of Press Conference
Antonio Conte has pulled out of his pre-match press conference today following the death of Gianluca Vialli.
Conte played alongside the former striker, who has died at the age of 58, when the pair were at Juventus together.
His assistant Christian Stellini will now face questions from the media.
Spurs are playing League 1 Portsmouth in the FA Cup this weekend.
A Trophy-Laden Life
Gianluca Vialli was considered one of the best strikers of his generation - and has a trophy cabinet to match his talent.
Sampdoria - Seria A 1990-91, Coppa Italia 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
Juventus - Serie A 1994-95, Coppa Italia 1994-95, Champions League 1995-96, UEFA Cup 1992-1993
Chelsea (player) - FA Cup 1996-97, League Cup 1998-98, UEFA Cup Winners Cup 1994-95
Chelsea (manager) - FA Cup 1999-2000, League Cup 1997-98, FA Charity Shield 2000, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1997-98, UEFA Super Cup 1998
'Honour to have known you'
TV football legend Chris Kamara has added a tribute to the late Gianluca Vialli.
The Italian joined Kamara and co-host Ben Shephard on their former Sky Sports show 'Goals on Sunday' few years ago.
Chris Kamara said 'it was an honour' to know Vialli 'A truly awful day'
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali have added their voice to the tributes to Gianluca Vialli.
They said : "This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge.
"His impact as a player, a coach and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends."
'Loved by fans, players and staff'
Chelsea have hailed "legend" Gianluca Vialli on their website after the star's passing.
They said in a moving statement: "As soon as he walked through the door at Stamford Bridge when already a global football star, Luca declared his wish to become a Chelsea legend.
"It is a target he undoubtedly reached, revered for his work on the pitch and in the dugout during some of the most successful years in our history.
"Loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge, Luca will be sorely missed not just by the Chelsea community, but the entire footballing world, including in his native Italy, where he was such an iconic figure."
'We will miss you'
Ruud Gullit has shared a picture of him and his former manager Gianluca Vialli after the ex-Chelsea player's passing.
The two were at Stamford Bridge together in the 90s with Vialli following Gullit as a player-manager after the Dutchman was sacked.
He wrote: "RIP Gianluca Vialli. We will miss you" with a heart emoji.
Ruud Gullit brought Vialli to Stamford Bridge in 1996
'Gorgeous soul'
Graeme Souness was fighting back tears as he paid tribute to his former teammate Gianluca Vialli, who he said had a "gorgeous soul".
An emotional Souness, who was at Sampdoria with Vialli between 1984 and 1986, said the striker was a "fun-loving guy" and a "warm individual."
Souness told Sky Sports News: "I can't tell you how good a guy he was. Forget football for a minute, he was just a gorgeous soul, a truly nice human being.
"He was just fabulous to be around. He was a fun-loving guy, full of mischief and a wonderful player. But I don't want to talk about his football, I want to talk about him as a human being.
"What a human being. My condolences go to his family and his wife. They've been blessed that their paths crossed him."
Sampdoria Say Goodbye
Sampdoria have paid tribute to their former player Gianluca Vialli who has passed away at the age of 58.
Vialli played at Sampdoria between 1984 and 1992, spending more time there than at any other club in his career.
RIP Vialli
The football world is in mourning once again as the passing of Gianluca Vialli has been announced.
The former Chelsea hero passed way at the age of 58, five years after first being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
With his wife and children by his side, the Italian sadly passed away on Friday, January 6 2023. When speaking to about his cancer diagnosis, Vialli opened up on the support from his wife.
He said: "My daughters helped me drawing my eyebrows and I have I asked my wife for advice what tricks to use.
"We laughed, you have to laugh, you need to find the funny side, but there were days where I locked myself in the bathroom so they wouldn’t see me cry.”
'Genuinely gutted'
Peter Crouch has paid tribute to his hero Gianluca Vialli, who has passed away at the age of 58.
The former Liverpool man revealed how much he looked up to the star striker, who played for Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea in his action-packed playing days.
Crouch tweeted: "I'm genuinely gutted about this.
"I had Sampdoria home and away shirt because of him. I tried to replicate his volleys in the park and such a lovely man when I met him."